Page 57 of Piece Of Me

He blabbered his baby gibberish.

She laughed.

Then Hank got quiet. Serious. His face reddened; his brow furrowed in concentration.

By the time she realized what he was about to do it was too late. He clenched his little fists and less than thirty seconds later he’d completely destroyed his outfit. Hank looked more than a little satisfied with what he’d accomplished as he looked up at his mama, diaper overflowing and smelling the complete opposite of fresh.

“Oh, my little man,” she scooped him off of the floor, and nope, the area rug was also destroyed. “Why?” Scarlett was holding Hank in the air when Taz walked in, Ryland having opened the door at his knock.

Taz stopped short. “Impressive. He’s got some power down there.” That slow smile that only he owned, spread across his face. Even now with the current situation she found herself in, Taz’s smile was her focus. The pull was that strong.

“Dude, that’s disgusting,” Ryland looked at his nephew. “Have fun with that.” The door slammed behind him, leaving her and Taz alone with a baby who smelled like rotten potatoes.

Taz pointed to her son. “Get him cleaned up and I’ll take care of that.” That, being the area rug.

“I’m so sorry, are you sure?”

“Darlin’, you forget I’ve got two of them.” He winked. “I’m sure.”

By the time Scarlett got Hank cleaned up and dressed in a new outfit, it was eleven thirty. Taz was sitting outside on the porch with both girls on his lap. They were interested in the small paddock across the lane, and the horses milling inside. Cameron’s head was on Taz’s chest, while Ryan pointed toward the paddock, asking questions about the paint kicking up his heels. Scarlett watched the three of them, and something warm bloomed in her chest at the sight of this big, handsome man, and the two little girls who had his heart.

He glanced up suddenly, and her stomach erupted, filled with a thousand butterflies.

“I’m ready.” Shit. Did she have to sound like a lovestruck teenager?

The girls squealed and hopped off of Taz’s lap, while he took his time, that slow wicked grin doing nothing to alleviate the mess inside her stomach.

“We like your princess dress,” Cameron said, with a shy smile.

“You should wear a tiara,” Ryan added. “Do you have a tiara?”

“I don’t.”

Ryan looked very serious. “You can borrow one of mine next time. I have four.”

Taz reached for Hank. “I’ve got his car seat secure in the truck. Let me get Hank and the girls settled while you grab your bag and anything else you might need.”

Hank didn’t fuss. It could have been because he was interested in his toy horse, or maybe he just liked Taz. Whatever it was, she handed over her son with no issue, and Taz’s fingers lingered along her arm, spreading a delicious tingle that rushed across her skin. It was a whisper of a touch, but her reaction had Scarlett thinking about later. About after the rodeo. About how she was going to navigate getting some more of Taz while three kids were in the picture.

She ran inside to grab Hank’s diaper bag, and a small purse that held her cell and lip gloss. Taz was waiting by his truck, and dropped a kiss to her mouth before opening the door for her.

“Such a gentleman,” she murmured, grabbing for her seatbelt.

“For now.” His voice was low, and she smiled. “Wait until I get you alone.”

“You do that well,” Scarlet said, settling back in her seat.

“What’s that?” His hand was on the door.

“The flirting thing.”

He held onto the door for a few more seconds. “It’s easy with you.”

The ride to town took about half an hour. The radio was on low, while she and Taz talked about the merits of the Bourne movies, Thai food, and her insatiable knowledge of all things Star Wars. Hank giggled most of the way, clearly enjoying the antics of the twins, and by the time they reached the rodeo, he was tuckered out.

She got him settled in his stroller, and he was asleep by the time they paid their entrance fee and walked inside the grounds. Vendors were set up selling food and merchandise and they wandered a bit, the girls each holding one of Taz’s hands, skipping along to a song only they knew, while Scarlett walked beside them with Hank.

Taz stopped to buy the girls each a snow cone, and he’d just paid when a man walked up to Taz and grabbed him in a bearhug. Decked out in a blue plaid button-up, jeans, chaps, and cowboy boots, he wasn’t a local.

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